Spring-hinge catch for washboards and tubs



8. J. P. JOHNSON.

SPRING HINGE CATCH FOR WASHBOARDS AND TUBE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. I0, I920,

Patented Dec. 21., I924),

.Z'kmwzfar 5. P dzhnamz UNITED STATES SENA J. P. JOHNSON, OF KALISPELL, MONTANA.

SPRING-HINGE CATCH FOB. WASHBOARDS AND TUBS.

Application filed March 10, 1920.

To all to ham it may concern Be it known that I, SENA J. P. JOHNSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kalispell, in the county of Flathead and State of Montana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spring-Hinge Catches for lVashboards and Tubs; and 1 do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in clamps and has for its primary object the provision of a device which will detachably secure a washboard in a tub and prevent said washboard from sliding upwardly and downwardly in relation to the tub while scrubbing clothes thereon, thus providing a firm washboard and which permits said washboard to be easily removed from the tub when desired.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a combined pivotal and hinge connection between the clamp and the washboard which will permit the washboard to be swung and supported exteriorly of the tub when desired and when in this position clothing may be easily removed from the tub without any liability of being interfered with by said washboard.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a clamp of the above stated character which shall be simple, durable and eflic'ient, and which may be manufactured and sold at a comparatively low cost.

With these and other objects in view which will become more apparent as the description proceeds, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

For a complete understanding of my invention, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary sectional view of a washtub with a washboard supported therein by a hinge catch constructed in accordance with my invention and also illustrating the washboard supported exteriorly of the tub in dotted lines.

Fig. 2 is an elevational view, illustrating the hinge catch,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 21, 1920.

Serial No. 364,773.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view illustrating the same,

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view illustrating the connection between the attaching plate and the catch or clamp.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the numeral 1 indicates a wash-tub with an ordinary washboard 2 positioned therein ready for scrubbing clothes thereon. A reinforcing strip is secured to the rear face of the scrubbing board 2 adjacent its upward end and extends transversely of said washboard to which my invention is attached, however, my invention may be secured directly to the washboard if desired.

An elongated attaching plate 4: is secured to the strip 3 by fastening elements 5 and is provided with an opening 6 to rotatably receive the leg 7 of a Tshaped element 8. The leg after passing through the opening 6 is headed as illustrated at 9 to prevent the T-shaped element from becoming detached from the plate 4: but permits said T-shaped I element to turn or rotate in relation to said plate.

A substantially U-shaped clamp 10 is pro vided with a slot 11 in its bight or web portion to permit the leg 7 to extend in between the legs 12 of said clamp and also permit the head portion 13 of the T-shaped element 8 to be confined between the legs 12 of the clamp 10, thus it will be seen that the clamp 10 hinges on the head portion 13 of the T-shaped element, and also is pivotally connected to the attaching plate 4.

The clamp 10 is positioned so that its legs 12 straddle the wall of the tub and said legs are tapered in the direction of their free ends to render said legs of a resilient nature so that they will grip the wall of the tub and will readily spread apart when removing and replacing the clamp on the tub. The legs 12 of the clamp are also curved inwardly and outwardly so that they will efficiently grip the tub and have their extreme free ends spaced a considerable distance apart so that the clamp can be readily pushed downwardly over the edge of the wall of said tub.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, it will be noted that the washboard 2 is firmly held in an inclined plane within the tub by my invention and will be prevented from moving upwardly and downwardly by the scrubbing of clothes thereon. It is also to be noted that the washboard can be swung upwardly in a plane above the upper edge of the tub and then swung laterally and downwardly to support said washboard exand a clamp having a slot to receive the leg and head of the T-shaped member and engaging the wall of a tub.

2. device of the character set forth comprising a plate secured to a washboard, a T-shaped member pivoted to the said plate, a substantially U-shaped clamp having a slot in its bight portion to receive the head and leg of the T-shaped member for hingedly connecting the clamp to the plate, the legs of said clamp adapted to straddle the wall of a tub.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of three witnesses.

SENA J. P. JOHNSON.

Witnesses:

E. I. TARRHAUSER, JOHN P. JoHNsoN, F. H. MACDONALD. 

